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Category: Interview Tips

My executive uncle knows all the tricks to make me understand the right things and yet again, he used his strong communication skills to tell me how I need to update my looks in order to get a good job. While I was telling him about a new interview call from an MNC, he told me that I need to take an objective look on my looks and eliminate all the negative aspects if I really wish to have this job. Well, I so knew he was aiming at my messy moustache, which I apparently like as it makes me feel good.

Nevertheless, I made efforts to get rid of it and even landed having the job. But later on, I was thinking that if only my clean face helped me have a job or it was something else too. Well, I found out that once I eliminated all the negative aspects of my personality and face people with confidence, it can actually make me win a lot of things in life, even the job of my dreams!

Here are a few things that I really think need special attention before any interview.

1. Updating Your Resume

Do you know, you should always update your resume with current achievements every time you apply for a new position? In most situations, you will need to alter some information to make it look suitable for the applied post. So, instead of simply posting your e-mailing your resume without giving a look, it would be wise to go through it thoroughly and make the required amendments. Here is the list of things that you should look for while updating your resume:

Any poorly stated accomplishments that have no relevance to the post you are applying for.

Any irrelevant or part-time jobs for which you don’t have explanation of why you took those particular jobs.

Any dates that might not match with publicly available data.

Make sure you add the URL of your LinkedIn profile as it will let the employer take a closer look on your background history and review your work in detail. You can also buy a domain name for your name and create a small online portfolio so your employers can have easy and quick access to all the information they require.

2. Grooming

Grooming is all about how you look. Shaving my moustache was the best thing I did to ensure I get the position. It made me feel more confident and eliminated even the slightest chance of something that the potential employer might not appreciate. So, here are some things that you should definitely focus on before going for the interview:

Get your hair trimmed or get a good hair cut that can make you look decently professionals.

Buy formal attire if you don’t have any. You cannot expect to enter an office in your plain jeans and boxer t-shirts.

Women are advised to go for conservative and elegant style like straight hair or a simple pony tail.

3. Clothing

As mentioned earlier, you cannot go for the interview in any kind of casual attire. There’s a dress code allotted when it comes to business settings. Women can opt for formal bold color shirts and knee length skirt or plain solid trousers. On the other hand, men can wear suit jacket with trousers for a typical look. You may even add tie to complete the look.

As far as shoes are concerned, women can go for mid-low heels, while men are good with formal leather shoes. However, a lot would depend upon the company culture you are heading for. For instance: if you are expecting a position in the fashion industry, then do not hesitate to show off your individual style.

4. Commuting

You surely do not want to reach late for the interview, especially when it is not a walk-in. It is a good idea to ask your friends or relatives who are aware of the route. Alternatively, you can also use smartphone apps like Google Maps to know the exact commuting time, both with and without traffic. Prepare yourself accordingly.

5. Smoking

If you smoke, it is advised to switch to e-cigs or other alternatives at least a day or two before your interview. It will help you get rid of the pungent smell of tobacco, which is one of the major reasons for potential turn off.

Once you are able to deal with the above given hang-ups, you can expect to pursue the desirable job without any hassle. It will also make you more confident at every step.

It’s that time of the year where job seekers need to look at their job searching techniques and resumes. Below are top 10 resume trends expected to dominate 2014.

1. Social media resume

Social media has changed the way the world connects in the past few years. It’s about time we shifted our focus to social media and its role in job searches. If you have a social media profile, you already have an online presence which can be easily found by potential employers with little effort. In fact, statistics indicate that over 90{2f7a61b4b3723d89af4d56db0c25f9af413b04bda6c1a742ffb85759a511d2e4} of employers today are using social media sites like LinkedIn to find and recruit new talent.

It is therefore important to focus on where job search is headed to. You can start by creating a social media resume using sites like resumesocial.com, careercloud.com, visualcv.com among many others. A social media resume is extremely important today for delivering your professional brand on the most popular sites online; social media sites.

2. The Infographic resume

Infographics have also taken over in the recent years in numerous applications. They haven’t however been used widely in job search applications. This is precisely why the inforgraphic resume is expected to be a hot resume trend in 2014. The infographic resume will definitely be more interesting and compelling setting candidates apart from the rest when used in the right industry and right context.

3. Facebook Timeline Resume

Imagine how marketable you could be to the right people if you were able to display your resume on Facebook. There are ongoing attempts to make trendsetting resumes. One of the most popular types of resumes is the Facebook timeline resume. If this type of resume sees the light of day, there is no doubt it willchange how job searching is done from now henceforth. Rumour has it that the resume isn’t far away. Only time will tell.

4. Video resume

Video resumes are also a likely resume trend to look out for in 2014. It is however important to note that this resume type can only complement the traditional resume as opposed to replacing the resume completely. Video resumes provide a perfect avenue for showcasing your career successes as well as achievements. Why this resume trend hasn’t taken off in the past is anyone’s guess. Both employers and employees stand to gain immensely from the whole job searching process if the trend gains momentum in 2014 given the fact that there are many sites offering video resume services i.e. careerbuilder.com, visualcv.com, jobster.com and sparkhire.com.

5. Resumes which raise the bar

Sometimes it’s about improving what you have to set new trends. Over the years, job seekers have become wiser in all aspects of creating resumes. For instance, some resume templates have become absolute. Also, some common resume terms and phrases used in the past no longer feature in most resumes today. In summary, smart job seekers have discovered simple ways of standing out from their competition i.e. cutting the fluff and utilising excellent communication skills. This resume trend is expected to take over in 2014 and subsequent years.

6. Charts and graphs

Gone are the days where resumes featured words only. There is an emerging resume trend of showcasing accomplishments using easily digestible graphs and charts. The trend is expected to be received well because graphs and charts make it easier to understand content. This resume trend is expected to take over in 2014 in industries and positions which require simplified data/information.

7. Quotations

Future resumes are also expected to feature quotations for validation purposes. It is becoming extremely important to substantiate personal brands as well as lend credibility to personal successes. There is no better way to do this other than acquire quotations from clients or supervisors. This explains why this resume trend is expected to dominate in the future.

8. LinkedIn

LinkedIn has become synonymous with professional resumes. Employers are expected to take job searching to the next level in 2014 by checking LinkedIn profiles after examining traditional resumes as well as using LinkedIn to find potential employees. As of 2013, over 90{2f7a61b4b3723d89af4d56db0c25f9af413b04bda6c1a742ffb85759a511d2e4} of employers were using LinkedIn as a source of additional information from potential employees. This trend isn’t expected to change. It will in fact make many job seekers put more effort into their LinkedIn profiles as they look to establish reputable professional brands online.

9. Interesting career summaries

2014 is also expected to be the year when career summaries will seize being boring. Resumes are expected to be more compelling and specific to individual job seekers. This will be the case because resume information has already started being used to create more depth/impact on individual career summaries. 2014 is expected to be the year when career summaries feature numbers which have been quantified to create distinctiveness and impact.

10. Forget the fluff

This is the last resume trend in this list expected to dominate in 2014. Resumes are expected to become more brief and concise. Job seekers seem to have understood the importance of getting straight to the point when it comes to creating effective resumes. This trend will definitely take over in 2014.

If you are yet to find a suitable job to dazzle your career, then there’s one thing that you need to keep in mind and that is – Smartness! When you go for an interview you don’t just have to present yourself smartly in front of your potential employer, but also make sure that you outperform the others standing in the same league.

Employers are always looking for opportunities to eliminate the candidates who just don’t go well with the required level of skills, personality smartness and intelligence. In order to make it happen, they always try to bring up a set of few questions that are bound to make anyone confused. If you can answer them correctly or as per the set standard, you can expect to get the job very easily!

We spoke to a bunch of hiring managers and asked them if they’d like to reveal some of their toughest interview questions. Here are a few that will help you fill the gaps!

1. What is the biggest achievement in your career

Alright, your friends or family may not be interested in listening about your achievements or seeing you brag about yourself, but this is your chance to let it all out. According to Kimberly Bishop, an executive recruiter says, “most people start giving off deer-in-headlights stare when asked such questions”. In fact, most people end up saying, “I don’t know”, which seems quite an understated answer.

So, what’s the best way to answer such a question? Of course, you have the chance to illustrate all of your achievements so far, from minor to major. Recruiters will be happy to know about your potentials through it, which will help them make the right decision. Prepare ahead, and tell the stories of your greatest endeavors that you managed to accomplish successfully.

However, make sure you do not cross the line. Just talk about your plans and strategies that helped you achieve your goals, rather than telling them, “how it could not have been possible without you”.

2. Why you want to work for us?

This might sound like a simple and straightforward answer, but if you will put your mind into it, it will surely come out as one of the trickiest questions of all.

In just seven words, the question will reveal your personality and career goals to your employees. Your answer will talk about your career goals, and how committed you are towards your work and organization you will be associated with.

3. Why are you demanding that salary?

According to Barbara Bergin, who actually came up with this question told us that the interviewees often feel tripped up on being asked to justify their demand for the salary. She added, “Employers are always looking for people who can justify the salary they have asked for. They don’t have any interest in their wants and desires”. Here are some answers that Barabara shared with us:

· Because of college loans.

· Because my house is too far from here.

· Because I’ll be spending more than 12 hours of my day at the office.

Save yourself some excuses. Let’s see the right and better answers:

· Because I can show results.

· Because I have a track record of success.

· Because I’m a good team leader and know how to get the work done.

4. How many times are you willing to fail before you succeed?

Of course, this is a very confusing question and a lot of people fail to answer it smartly. The answer to this question will reveal your level of endurance and ability to face even the complex of situations.

So, a good answer would be, “I’m willing to stick with this job for as long as it takes to succeed”

5. Which past employer has liked your performance the least, and what would he convey me about you?

According to Allison, head of communications at Grammarly, this question is the one of the newswest ways to judge the weaknesses of the person. This kind of questions forces the candidates to look from the perspective of their managers, which may be their own and made up.

The best approach is to avoid playing the blame-game. Speak diplomatically and speak for yourself. It is ideal to be positive about your past relationships with your managers.

6. Is there anything unfair to you in the last job? If yes, then please elaborate

According to Don Phin, President of HR, “if the candidate says nothing, he is probably lying or trying to hide something that he knows can affect his chances of being selected”. Apparently, no one is interested in hiring liars, provided you are not going for a sales job.

So the trick is to be honest and answer in a positive manner. Talk about things that you think could be modified in order to make the environment fair for all. Your suggestions will be highly appreciated, than blames.

The excitement of getting a new job is usually kept on hold by the thought of having to go through the interviewing process. This shouldn’t be the case. With the right information, you can be able to prepare and pass any interview without a hitch. This article is going to focus on some of the most unique pre-interview routines.

Although the routines may be considered strange by many people, they have been proven to work and help many people land their dream jobs. If you are interested in discovering what these routines are, you are in the right place. Below are 5 unorthodox pre-interview routines that actually work.

1. Check Facebook

This routine has two strategies in one. First and foremost, you must login to your Facebook profile and ensure your personal profile is private. The next step is checking if there are any embarrassing photos of you. In case there are any embarrassing tags, untag yourself and make sure all tags are set to private from then onwards i.e. no one can see photos you are tagged in without your approval. Proceed to check all your status updates. If there is anything embarrassing, delete it.

The above tips are very effective in ensuring you don’t have a tainted image on social media just in case your interviewer/s decides to check you up online before calling you for a second interview.

The second strategy in this routine is finding out the name/s of your interviewer/s. If you have access to such information, consider looking them up on Facebook. You should focus on getting as much information as you can about your interviewer/s because such information is priceless when you want to connect with them effectively on a personal level.

For instance, if your interviewer happens to be a family man/woman from their Facebook profile i.e. because they have many family photos on their profile, you will immediately know that they value family which should give you a strong basis for a conversation when you meet them. This in turn increases your chances of being remembered for a second interview.

2. Get something to fiddle with

This is another strange but effective pre-interview tip that will come in handy. In most cases, you will be required to wait for some time in a lounge or waiting room before your interview begins. This is usually the case when there are other people being interviewed before you or the interviewers are just busy or want to give you some time to prepare before you meet them. In some unique cases, the waiting time is a test to observe how you behave under pressure.

This is where a folder comes in handy. Although you can fiddle with many things i.e. a pen, clothing e.t.c., a folder (with your papers) creates the best impression when you are being watched. You appear to be preparing yourself for the interview when in real sense you are a nervous wreck.

3. Rub some cold water on your wrist and behind your ears

This is another effective unorthodox pre-interview routine with scientific proof behind it. A few minutes before you go in for your interview, you should go to the bathroom and rub some cold water on your wrists and behind your years. According to some health experts, this routine has been proven to calm the nerves down quickly because these areas harbour major arteries.

4. Write a List

This routine isn’t as strange as the others. The routine however works wonders. Your interviewers will obviously want to know your achievements, best qualities, what you expect to bring to the company e.t.c. You must therefore come up with the best answers to such questions prior to any interview.

You should however, consider posing for a moment when answering such questions to make sure your answers come out naturally and not rehearsed.

5. Rehearse on video or in front of a mirror

Although your friends or family members can come in handy when you want to create an interview like experience, you are better off rehearsing alone in front of a mirror or on video for obvious reasons i.e. to avoid mocking, jokes e.t.c. This strange pre-interview routine works wonders when you want to see yourself in the eyes of your interviewer.

Your face and tone can speak volumes about you. You must therefore take time to rehearse and eliminate the slightest signs of stress and nervousness. Rehearsing in front of a mirror or on video will help you perfect your posture, voice, eye contact, gestures e.t.c. to ensure you look as confident and relaxed as possible.

When contemplating your next job interview, consider some facts. According to a certain survey done by Career Geek, a substantial amount of employers will make their decision about hiring a candidate within one and a half minute after the interview starts. Therefore it is safe to assume that first impressions are much more relevant than you would expect.

Now you can run through the motions of what happens in those short moments. It’s a matter of eye-contact, smiling and giving a firm handshake while leaving only a few seconds to say something remarkable.

Optimal Interview Techniques:

Preparation

Doubt of any kind can sabotage an interview quicker than the speed of sound. The only way a person can obtain self-confidence in this situation is by gaining sufficient knowledge and preparation. Study the company you are applying to and learn their way of business. In addition, practice good responses to questions you know will be asked. Your motions need to be calm and secure if you are going to convince the potential employer of your capability. If you don’t have this confidence then you might as well stay at home.

From the moment you step into the building make sure you are calm and collected because you don’t know who you might meet beforehand and what that person will convey to the hiring manager. It is not uncommon for employers to ask their staff an opinion about a candidate.

Interview Tips

Like mentioned before, when you step into that room make and keep eye contact. Even the walk towards the interview room will play a part so stay on top of your game. Formally thank the person who led you there and if possible greet everyone with a handshake. Don’t be scared to smile and present yourself as an easily approachable person. This will count a lot for initial success.

A Great First Impression

Remember you only get one first impression. Ultimately employers want people they like and get along with. Let your body language be relaxed yet tentative. Let them know you regard the interview as highly important. Make sure you are shaved and don’t overdo the cologne. Appropriate grooming can’t be stressed enough. They will definitely judge your work ethic based on how well you take of yourself and your image as an employee will reflect upon the company.

Typically the interview will start with a question that requires a small statement about yourself. If they allow you this opportunity then your response should start with gratitude. Thank them for giving you the opportunity and explain how you aim to learn as much as possible. If you have experience in the field then tell them how it can benefit their company.

After the interview ends you should say goodbye in the same manner you greeted them. Leaving a professional business card with a firm handshake can elevate your chances significantly. Make eye contact with everyone involved and walk away with dignity. Show them you are capable of handling stressful situations with a clear mind.

Techniques Regarding a Phone Interview

In some cases the first interview might take place over the phone. Don’t underestimate the fact that you can’t be seen because your body language will have an effect on your voice.

Once again you should be prepared, calm and collected. Try to be comfortable in your answers and control your nerves. Retain a positive attitude because it will reflect on how you answer. Most of all smile and walk while you talk. Don’t think for one second that it won’t have an effect on your tone because it does. Keep in mind that you can’t utilize facial expression under these circumstances so double the work has to go into your manner of speaking.

The worst thing you can do over the phone is interrupt the person conducting the interview. Express the best phone personality you can muster and show respect at all times. It is much harder to rectify a stupid answer when you can’t see someone so think before you talk. Don’t ramble on about things that don’t have any relevance to the interview.

These are basic yet effective steps that will yield great results. If you get these things down then you most probably won’t need more than a few interviews.

You may well-spoken, highly confident, and have a perfect resume. However, committing body language mistakes can cost you the job.

The handshake is the first step taken when entering an interview. Although it lasts just a few seconds, it gives the interviewer a sense of your character based on your handshake’s firmness as well as eye contact. A weak handshake paired with lack of eye contact portrays you as being nervous. A firm handshake with good eye contact expresses confidence and professionalism. An overpowering handshake on the other hand can stamp you as an arrogant and manipulative person. It is therefore important to start the interview positively by giving a proper handshake.

To make a positive impression with your body language, reflect on and adopt the following:

Good posture

Your posture is an indicator of your level of confidence and interestedness in the conversation. Slumping can be taken to imply lack of interest and confidence. Sitting stiffly without any body movements is an indicator of nervousness. It also makes it difficult for the interviewer to build a rapport with you. Sitting at the tip of the chair shows that you would rather be somewhere else.

Leaning back in your chair gives the impression of you being overly relaxed and unprofessional. Crossing your arms and legs projects you as having created a barrier between yourself and the interviewer.

To exude confidence, engagement and professionalism, sit on the chair with your lower back touching the back panel, and lean forward at an angle of ten degrees. Place your hands on the arms of the chair or on the desk. Use them to gesture from time to time to help you look more expressive. Plant both feet onto the ground to maintain stability.

Good eye contact

Eye contact is a connection tool. It helps you connect with the interviewer beyond words. However, there is a thin line between good and bad eye contact. When you continuously stare at the interviewer without taking short breaks, you can make him or her feel uncomfortable. This will make even a casual conversation seem to be a lecture.

Whether you are speaking or listening, you should maintain eye contact with the interviewer for a period of time not exceeding ten seconds then quickly glance away before restoring eye contact. If you are being interviewed by more than one person, look mostly at the person asking you the question, but occasionally glance aside at the other interviewers. They will be impressed by you trying to involve them in the conversation.

Voice

The speed, tone and pitch of your voice create an impression. A speaking rate that is too slow can make you come off as lacking confidence. On the contrary, a speaking rate that is too fast can make you hard to understand and also portray you as being nervous. Speaking in a monotonous tone and pitch makes it difficult for interviewer to stay engaged.

It is important for you to control your voice. Vary your tone and pitch to create engagement and to emphasize important points.

Moderate nodding

Excessive nodding during an interview can be interpreted as you wanting to please by all means thus agreeing with everything being said. It can consequently make you lose credibility.

You should have control over your nodding. Simply nod once or twice when you agree with something and pair it with a smile of agreement then stop. You can also show how much you are engaged by tilting your head to the side as if trying to listen more attentively.

Fidgeting

Fidgeting is distracting. Although it may happen unconsciously, it may be perceived as you being bored, dishonest and not focused.

During the interview, you should always try to be conscious of the movement of your hands, legs and feet so as to avoid fidgeting.

You should master your body language to avoid being misinterpreted by the interviewer. You can practice in front of a mirror or set up a mock interview and video record the whole session. Review the video recording to identify areas you need to work on before the interview. The more aware you are of your body language, the more you can improve your interview skills.

The interview is one of the most daunting, yet most exciting components of a job seeking process. It is a process that shows the employer that you are the right person for the position and can also be source of anxiety for candidates who fear making mistakes that break the entire opportunity.

To be successful, you need to know how to present yourself well before your potential employers. It is vital that you start feeling good about the entire interview process to get rid of any anxiety.

If you are struggling with expressing your strengths and weaknesses, being open about your skills and qualifications or even describing why you are the right fit for the company, the following five tips will to help boost your confidence for any job interview you are looking forward to.

1. Conduct an exhaustive research

It is very important that you find as much information as you can about the company to boost your confidence for the interview. Research about the company as most interviewers would want to know how much you know about them. Use their website and other relevant news sources to showcase your knowledge of their background and state some of their future objectives.

You will in addition, handle such questions as: how can you be of benefit to this company? Why do you think you are a good fit for this company?

2. Research interview questions and possible answers

There are a lot of resources that will present you with lots of information to build your confidence for the interview. Research on the internet possible interview questions you could be asked and prepare answers. Review the questions carefully and try to say the answers loud to feel natural and confident in the interview.

Additionally, it is important that you are informed of the company’s interview system. There are companies that use a behavioral based interviewing system while others have different systems. With all this preparation, your interview will flow naturally, and you will without a doubt, be confident.

3. Conduct a mock interview

You can ask someone to help you conduct a mock interview for practice in order to build your confidence for the big day. If you cannot find a close friend, a mentor or a networking contact, you can answer questions in front of a mirror to get your facial expressions and body language right.

Sit down with your friend or family member and rehearse all your answers to simulate the actual interview environment.

4. Do not leave any loopholes

One of the most important steps in preparing for your job interview is recalling your qualifications for the position advertised as well as your career history and goals. While you review your professional and personal credentials, it is important that you ensure there are no loopholes on the internet that could cost you the job.

Most companies look for information from the internet about interviewees, so it is very important that you ensure your social networking profile is private or presented professionally.

5. Is the job really worth it?

While it is recommended that you don’t think about what the job can do for you and instead think of what you can do for the company, it is important that you anticipate some questions from the employers. Many companies will ask potential employees their salary expectations, so it is advisable that you have an answer.

In addition, it is very crucial that you think about what you can offer the company to help you focus on your strengths, which is what every employer is looking for.

Besides the salary, think of whether the job you are applying for is worth your energy, time and efforts. Is it worth giving them your social network password, and do you feel sharing your confidential information is worth it? Think about these factors before attending the interview.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are in control of the way you present yourself before the panel of your potential employers. Avoid being bashful when presenting your skills and qualifications, experience or career goals. Remember that the outfit you wear is very important; find a professional and stylish outfit that you will feel confident in.

You will also be more likely to exude a better posture and the right attitude during the interview with the right kind of outfit.

A large number of companies are switching over to phone interviews, or phone screens, as a preliminary measure to determine if a candidate is suitable for a particular job. The phone interview also helps the interviewer in deciding whether the interviewee should be invited for the subsequent selection processes or for a face-to-face interview.

To add to this convenience, phone-based interviews are normally cost-effective and help to save a good amount of time for the company, so one should not be surprised if they are contacted by prospective employees for a telephonic round of interview.

Since, telephonic interview rounds are relatively new in many parts of the world; a few candidates don’t take it seriously as they feel that an interview via phone is not genuine. But, on the contrary, the fact remains that the employees or the recruiting team of the companies treat it seriously and any casual answer or insincere behaviour can go against the candidate.

Telephone interviews can be rightly termed as a candidate’s first step for getting inside a company, so they should treat it in a professional manner and avoid loose talks that can blow their chances of getting a good job!

Effective Strategies For Phone Interviews – here are a few good strategies that can help a candidate succeed their phone interviews, easily:

One should be as professional as they would be in a one-to-one interview:

This strategy implies that one must treat the phone interview with equal importance. They should be well-prepared and focused for the interview and gather adequate information about the job as well as the company. A major advantage of going through an interview on phone is that one can have information pertaining to the company right in front of them and they can search through the paperwork for job description or additional details that can give them a certain edge in the interview process. Some candidates also refer to the company’s website while giving phone interviews, to avoid missing out on vital details.

In addition, one must identify which technique works best for them and make sure that they have those materials handy before answering the interview call. However, candidates must avoid typing or flipping pages while going through the phone interview process because the interviewer might hear the keyboard clicks as well as the sound of paper being turned over. Therefore, the candidate should have all the necessary things ready by keeping all the websites and relevant document pages open, before the scheduled interview time.

While answering from a cell phone, one must ensure that they are in a quiet surrounding and the phone has good reception:

Noisy environments can be extremely distracting for the candidate as well as the interviewer and can go to the extent of hampering the entire interview process. Hence, the candidate must ensure that the interviewer gets the feeling that the interview is being taken seriously. No one would want blaring music or loud television or the sound of screaming toddlers coming from the neighbouring houses to disrupt their thought process and also distract the person who is interviewing but, most of the times the candidates can’t prevent or control these unnecessary noises.

For these reasons, it is advisable to take the call at a quiet restaurant or coffee shop. If there are no quiet places available nearby then they should check their local library and try to obtain permission to have a reserved space where they can give the interview peacefully and avoid any sort of embarrassment.

Prevent all kinds of distractions during the interview:

Handling an interview on the phone can be an extremely difficult task, when unavoidable things keep coming up. One must address all types of distractions before a phone interview by turning off their computer’s and television’s speakers, arrange for a babysitter for their kids, turn the other phones off for some time, request a family member or a friend to answer the doorbells, etc. The candidate must only concentrate on the interview and pay minute attention to whatever the interviewer says.

Lastly, after finishing the phone interview, one must send an e-mail to the interviewer, without fail, thanking them for the interview and for their time. This correspondence can help to indicate that the candidate is keenly interested in the job offer and can considerably improve his or her chances of getting the job.

So you finally get a call from the company you have applied to and have been waiting to hear from? Your first reaction of excitement quickly turns into nervousness and anxiety and very quickly you start to panic thinking something is going to go wrong…well! Relax! Breatheeee…

Here are some job interview tips that can help you ease the tension and deal better with the interview. Ok, so before we talk about the job interview tips here is something to help you feel more confident – if you have been called for an interview, then it means something about your resume has made an impression on your potential employer.

So, you have successfully passed the first level of screening! And now let’s break down a couple of job interview tips:

1) One of the best job interview tips you can get is that you must do a thorough research about the company you going for an interview to. This shows the company that you have put in time and effort in knowing what they do and how they work.

2) The next on our ‘job interview tips’ is having a mock interview round with your family or friends. Have them question you as if it’s a real interview and see how well you do and where you lack – think of it as a rehearsal.

3) Reach earlier than the allotted time; maybe 10-15 minutes earlier. This shows you are punctual and consider the interview to be important.

4) Always carry an extra copy of your resume and other necessary documents. For example if you are a photographer carry samples of your work done.

5) Dress smart – formal and elegant. Try to stay away from too many accessories. Dress neat and sharp. You must be well-groomed. Unclean or un-ironed clothes are not an option.

6) Greet your interviewer with a polite smile and firm handshake – show them that you are confident but not arrogant.

7) Answer the questions asked truthfully and confidently. If you do not know the answer to a question be frank and admit to it and ask them for the answer – they will appreciate your honesty and eagerness to learn.

8) After the interview, thank them for the time and effort they put into meeting with you.

Follow these simple job interview tips and you are definitely going to make an impression to last!

You may apply for a job through online job portals or approach a head hunter – either ways your resume will be picked out only when your credentials match to those required by the employer.

Building a resume is important as that is the first thing an employer looks at – your first impression! With the number of people sending in their resumes, how much time do you think is given to your resume? 30 seconds to a minute – yes, that’s it! So before building a resume, you must ensure that yours is well-written and grammatically correct.

Building a resume is a series of steps that one must accomplish successfully in order to make an impression. The steps are mentioned below:

1) Include all important information about yourself

Name, age, address, contact number and email address. These details are necessary for your potential employer (or head hunter) to reach you. So, when you start building your resume, start with basic information.

2) Make your objective company or a specific role oriented

It should clearly state why you want to apply for the particular position – make it every specific and not general as this statement will make an impression on your potential employer. He/she should know why you want to work for their company and what your driving force is.

3) Educational qualification is next

When you are building a resume you must make sure not to miss this piece of important information. It is pointer of your credentials and relevant degrees. Some companies may need specific degrees, trainings in certain field or a particular educational qualification to consider you for the job.

4) Mention your experience in the relevant field

Also while building a resume, if you want your resume to stand out then you must mention your skills, knowledge and accomplishments. This information will help your potential employer know whether you are apt for the position or not and whether hiring you will be beneficial to the company or not.

5) Highlight hobbies and interests

These are just pointers to what kind of a person you are – what are your personal aspirations and what other activities interest you. Your social and personal life is an indication of your characteristics traits. This shows your potential employer how you will behave in a team, how you will deal with a stressful situation and what your general outlook in life is.

Just keep these pointers in mind before building a resume and if your resume is effective enough you will land yourself an interview!